Denver, CO
Denver welcomes record number of domestic visitors in 2023, and they spent more money than ever before
DENVER — In 2023, Denver welcomed a record-setting 37.4 million domestic visitors, which was a 3% increase over the previous record set in 2022, according to a report released by Visit Denver.
The report also says the record number of visitors in the city generated $10.3 billion in tourism revenue, which was the most money spent in Denver than ever before.
“We’re thrilled that both the number of tourists and the revenue generated from those tourists hit record breaking numbers,” said Taylor Shields, the director of communications and public relations for Visit Denver.
On a warm, sunny day in downtown Denver, it’s likely you’ll bump into a touring group, like the one John Mayr was leading Tuesday morning.
“We start out at the Capitol and we end at Union Station,” he said.
Mayr told Denver7 he wasn’t surprised to hear Denver tourism hit a new record with all the city has to offer.
“Denver’s a sports town. It’s a town for the arts. It’s a town with a very rich history, has so much to offer to so many people around the world,” said Mayr.
It’s all of those things that brought Lothar Jaeger and his friends to make a stop in Denver all the way from Germany.
“We landed in Boston, and then we came from Boston to Cape Cod, Pennsylvania, Vancouver,” Jaeger said. “We visited Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills, and then we came down to Denver.”
He told Denver7 he and his group first started planning their U.S. trip in the fall of 2023. He said they wanted to make sure to stop in Denver for a few days because they’d heard great reviews.
“We heard a lot about it, it should be very interesting to watch, and so much other stuff is going on,” he said. “Then we go to the tour here and learn about the history and everything else which is out there in the city.”
Though visitors aren’t only coming from other countries, some are visiting from much closer.
“We came from Las Vegas. We got in yesterday,” said Rick Beavin, “Yesterday evening we went to Union Station, checked it out, and we went walking around north of there to the creek.”
Beavin and his daughter aren’t among the few visiting top spots, like Union Station.
Jerry Jimenez
The report says the following are top visited attractions when it comes to shopping and entertainment:
– Cherry Creek area
– 16th Street Mall
– Lower Downtown Historic Area
– Denver Pavilions
– Colorado Mills Mall
After months of work being done on the 16th Street Mall Andrew Iltis, the vice president of planning community impact with the Downtown Denver Partnership, says they’re hoping that only continues boosting tourism more and more.
“We’re really seeing tourism pick up, especially in the summertime when we have, you know, kids out of school,” he said. “We have people looking for places to visit, people coming to visit the mountains, and they’re making a stop in downtown and checking out what we have to offer, like this new block on 16th Street.”
Iltis says his hope is tourists continue visiting Denver, especially this year.
The tourists Denver7 spoke with Tuesday said they’d had an unforgettable time, so far.
“It just feels like it’s welcoming to come out, everybody’s friendly,” Beavin said.
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DENVER (KDVR) — More sunny and hot conditions are in Denver’s weather forecast for the rest of the weekend and into next week.
Denver weather tonight: Mainly clear
Saturday night will stay mainly clear and warm. Low temperatures will fall to the mid 60s, which is about 5 degrees warmer than normal for this time of year.
Denver weather tomorrow: Sunny, hot
Sunday will be sunny, breezy and hot with wind gusts out of the south southwest picking up to 20-30 mph. High temperatures will climb to the mid 90s, which is more than 5 degrees warmer than normal for this time of year, but well below the daily record of 102 set in 2024.
Looking ahead: Hot week ahead
Sunshine and a warming trend continues on Monday. High temperatures will reach just below the daily record of 100 degrees set in 2003.
More sunny and dry conditions are on the way through the workweek. Every day will start with a low in the 60s, then plenty of sunshine helping to boost high temperatures to the mid to upper 90s.
There is a slight chance for showers, mostly in the High Country, that return by the end of the week and the start of the weekend.
Getty
Peyton Watson #8 of the Denver Nuggets is a potential Lakers free-agent target.
The Los Angeles Lakers are still exploring means to improve their roster ahead of the upcoming season. Moves have been made already, but there are opportunities to add more talent around Luka Doncic.
One potential target for L.A. is Denver Nuggets star, Peyton Watson. In a proposed multi-team deal involving the Miami Heat and New Orleans Pelicans, the Lakers could land the high upside talent.
In the deal:
Both Watson and Jones have been linked with a move to L.A. this offseason, but no deal has been able to push forward. This proposal offers a chance to get both with one swing.
Lakers’ Outline for Acquiring Peyton Watson Through Trade
GettyDALLAS, TEXAS – JANUARY 14: Peyton Watson #8 of the Denver Nuggets handles the ball during a game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on January 14, 2026 in Dallas, Texas.
Watson, 23, is a restricted free agent, which makes any approach difficult. The Nuggets could match any offer to retain him and are reportedly planning to do so.
The 6-foot-8 star is coming off a breakout season in Mile High City, averaging 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 blocks per game. He shot 49.1% from the field and 41.1% from three while starting 40 of his 54 appearances.
Watson’s camp is reportedly seeking north of $25 million per year which is unfavorable for the Nuggets at this point. Denver already has huge commitments to Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Anthony Gordon and Christian Braun.
The Lakers can capitalize on the Nuggets’ need to move for pieces for flexibility and pitch a move for Watson. There would be adequate space to fit in the incoming star with the outgoings in this framework.
The Lakers can offer Watson a multi-year deal that doesn’t affect their flexibility. Vanderbilt’s outgoing deal is the most notable, which is why the Lakers have put him at the top of their moving list for now.
Watson’s Upside and Adding Herb Jones to the Roster
GettyLuka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers passes the ball as he is pressured by Herbert Jones #2 and Jeremiah Fears #0 of the the New Orleans Pelicans during the second quarter of an 2025 Emirates NBA Cup game at Smoothie King Center on November 14, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The Lakers would also get Jones out of this trade from the Pelicans. He is on a three-year, $68 million extension going through 2028-29 with a player option. His cap hit for 2026-27 sits at around $14.9 million.
With Watson and Jones, the Lakers would be bringing in roughly $38 million worth of salary, adding both Saddiq Rey for depth while sending out only about $26 million. This scenario would push L.A. well over its luxury limit but not into restrictive zones.
A potential lineup having Watson and Jones alongside Doncic, Austin Reaves and the newly acquired Walker Kessler, is positioned to be a strong core.
The real hurdle is getting Denver to move on from Watson. The franchise is committed to keeping him, even if it means giving up one of their more seasoned stars. They did activate a qualifying offer, making him restricted and they intend to match offers. Although a sign-and-trade is not impossible and the Lakers can work with that.
Adel Ahmad Adel is a writer with over five years of experience covering the NBA. His work has appeared on various media platforms, both national and local. More about Adel Ahmad
Denver, CO
One tree at a time: Denver nonprofit works to close shade gap as heat dome threatens neighborhoods
DENVER — Some Denver neighborhoods are far more vulnerable to this weekend’s incoming heat dome than others — and the difference comes down to trees.
The Valverde neighborhood on the city’s west side has about 9% canopy cover, leaving residents with little shade as temperatures climb toward triple digits.
▶️ WATCH: Denver7’s Claire Lavezzorio learns more about The Park People and how it is helping neighborhoods in Denver.
One tree at a time: Denver nonprofit works to close shade gap as heat dome threatens neighborhoods
Kim Yuan-Farrell, executive director of The Park People, a nonprofit that plants trees in underserved neighborhoods, said the disparity across Denver is stark.
“We have some neighborhoods that have wonderful canopy cover, like 20 to 30% of those neighborhoods are forested. Then a number of our neighborhoods have really low canopy cover, between four or 8% where it’s just significantly less,” Yuan-Farrell said.
Denver7
The Park People identified 28 neighborhoods in need of more tree cover, including Westwood, Globeville and Northeast Park Hill.
Trees can cool an area by 15 to 20 degrees, making a significant difference.
The National Weather Service (NWS) warned the heat dome could last through next weekend.
“The exceptional thing about this is how long it will last,” said NWS meteorologist Russell Danielson. “If you do have trees to take shelter under, it does actually cool down the temperature a decent amount.”
Yuan-Farrell said trees are more than a comfort — they are a critical piece of urban infrastructure.
Denver7
“We really consider it a really essential element of green infrastructure, a real nature-based solution to a lot of these really serious local environmental problems,” Yuan-Farrell said.
In the map below, explore Denver’s libraries and rec centers that welcome the public in from the heat during business hours.
When asked whether Denver has a long road ahead, she did not hesitate.
“We have a lot of work ahead of us,” Yuan-Farrell said. “And we really need our whole community to get involved in that.”
The Park People plant anywhere from 1,200 to 2,000 trees a year. You can apply for one in your yard. Planting is set to begin in September.
Denver7 | Your Voice: Get in touch with Claire Lavezzorio
Denver7’s Claire Lavezzorio covers topics that have an impact across Colorado. If you’d like to get in touch with Claire, fill out the form below to send her an email.
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